From 1889 to 1937, electric streetcars carried the people of Huntington from their homes to their shops and jobs. Huntington's rapid growth from the 1890s to the 1930s followed these rail tracks.
In recent years, a number of American cities and towns have built vintage streetcar lines or have begun planning for such a system. Surveys in various cities have shown that the vintage streetcar line has had a positive impact and is viewed with favor as a community attraction. There is a definite need to further explore and quantify the specific economic benefits that are possible in Huntington, and such a detailed study needs to be undertaken by the Old Main Corridor Committee.
A proposed bi-directional streetcar located on 4th Avenue from the west side of Hal Greer Boulevard to the east side of 8th Street would provide a visible and attractive means of mobility linking the Marshall University campus with Huntington's downtown business and commercial district. It would be a "funnel effect" to provide more flow between these two community assets.
4th Avenue is composed of four lanes of traffic and two lanes of parking. The plan calls for using the two center lanes: one for the streetcar and the other a walking/bike path and planter. Mitigation of traffic and parking impacts would include the construction of additional angled parking on intersecting streets.
Streetcars do not generate exhaust and are propelled by electric power. Like the streetcars of bygone days, this system requires a single wire suspended over the center of the track. The power supply wire would not have to be suspended across the streets, but would run parallel to the line. The support poles for the wire also would be used for street lights and signage to create an attractive unifying urban design element. A storage and maintenance facility is recommended to be located at the existing TTA station.
The replica streetcar would have a driver's compartment on both ends to allow for bi-directional traffic. There are numerous manufacturers that make cars that are historically authentic, featuring varnished wood interiors and brightly painted exteriors. They are equipped with modern handicap accessibility for all users. They will seat approximately 40 passengers, with room for standees.
Rough cost estimates including track, power distribution, vehicle, passenger stops, roadway/parking mitigation and a maintenance facility are between $3 million to $4 million. The capital cost estimate will be refined as part of the engineering and detailed design phase.
Federal, state and local sources of funding for both capital and operating costs are available. At this early stage, there are no guarantees that funding can be obtained, but it certainly appears that given strong community support and concerted efforts by elected officials and business leaders, such a system can be developed. The exact definition of a funding plan tailored for the Huntington streetcar project will be a key element of the next phase of the work.
The vintage trolley system could be operated in one of several manners:
- Incorporated as part of TTA system and operated by their personnel.
- Operated by a separate nonprofit organization such as Cincinnati Street Railway with a combination of paid and volunteer help.
- Or contracted out to other existing transportation companies, a "privatization" approach encouraged by the FTA.
Each of these approaches has its advantages as well as disadvantages that would need further consideration. The system would operate with fare box revenues as does any transit system. However, like every other transit system in the United States, it would need to be subsidized. Subsidies could be provided in the manner used to support TTA, namely FTA Section 9 funding. Another possible source of funds would be assistance from the business community, which will benefit from the vintage trolley.
Historically, the demise of Huntington's streetcar was not due to demographics or economics. The 1937 flood wrecked it, and monopolistic industrial interests buried it. Between 1936 and 1950, National City Lines, a holding company sponsored and funded by GM, Firestone and Standard Oil of California, bought out more than 100 electric surface-traction systems in 45 cities (including New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Tulsa and Los Angeles) to be dismantled and replaced with GM buses. In 1949, GM and its partners were convicted in U.S. District Court in Chicago of criminal conspiracy in this matter and fined $5,000.
For those who want to look forward to the future and through the eyes of the past, we must do more than offer flags and planters to our downtown corridor. We need a new vehicle to connect and reflect. Write your local representatives and tell them, "Huntington needs a trolley."
Sam St. Clair is a Huntington resident. For more information about his trolley proposal, go to www.huntingtontrolley.com.
7-day Archive
